In Episode 281 of the Great Lakes Fishing Podcast, host Chris Larsen talks with Jim and Diane Steel of Dream Catcher Sportfishing about targeting walleyes in the Eastern Basin of Lake Erie out of Dunkirk, New York.

Jim and Diane break down their trolling program step-by-step, including how they run leadcore on planer boards, dipsy divers, and downriggers, and why stickbaits and spoons have largely replaced worm harnesses in their spread. They also explain how paying attention to downspeed and temperature at the probe helps anglers stay consistent when fishing deep open water structure.

The conversation covers:

Why Dunkirk is one of the most versatile ports on Lake Erie

Typical rod spreads for Eastern Basin walleye trolling

Stickbait and spoon size selection

Speed control strategies (including their 2.2 mph starting point)

How turns trigger bites when fish are following

Seasonal timing from spring through fall

Why the current Lake Erie walleye fishery is among the best in decades

Common mistakes new trollers make—and how to fix them

If you're planning a trip to the Eastern Basin of Lake Erie or looking to improve your trolling success on walleyes anywhere on the Great Lakes, this episode is packed with practical advice you can use right away.

Captain Casey Prisco of Dirty Goose Sportfishing and Captain Elaine Supp of Pura Vida Charters join the Great Lakes Fishing Podcast for Episode #280 to share the story behind their purchase of Hammerhead Cowbells—one of the most trusted lake trout trolling attractors on the Great Lakes.

Casey and Elaine explain how they acquired the company, how these cowbells are still hand-built in the USA, and what makes their hammered stainless-steel design so effective at triggering big lake trout. They walk through the manufacturing process, rigging setups, leader lengths, spinning-glow combinations, and the downspeed ranges that consistently produce fish—especially when paired with accurate probe data from Fish Hawk Electronics.

The conversation also covers how anglers across the Great Lakes—and even out West—are using Hammerhead Cowbells for lake trout, kokanee, and landlocked salmon, along with color selection strategies and when to run different sizes.

Plus, Casey and Elaine share a big personal milestone and talk about what it’s like building a fishing business together while running busy charter operations on Lake Ontario.

If you’re targeting lake trout and want to improve your trolling success, this episode is packed with practical cowbell tactics you can put to work immediately.

For more Great Lakes fishing information, visit https://fishhawkelectronics.com/blog/

In Episode 279 of the Great Lakes Fishing Podcast, host Chris Larsen sits down with Trevor Sumption, Steve Stelter, and Mario Perzichilli from Fish Hawk Electronics for a relaxed after-hours conversation recorded at the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo in Niagara Falls, New York.

This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people who support Fish Hawk customers every day—from answering calls and troubleshooting systems to helping anglers get the most out of their electronics on the water.

One of the biggest themes of this conversation is Fish Hawk’s commitment to real customer service from real anglers. While many companies are moving toward automated chat systems and outsourced support, Fish Hawk continues investing in knowledgeable staff who understand the products and the challenges anglers face on the water.

The discussion also touches on the excitement surrounding Fish Hawk ONE, the company’s new modular and future-ready platform, along with growing interest in TD Connect and what these technologies mean for the future of fishing electronics.

You’ll also hear stories from the show floor at Niagara Falls, reactions from longtime Fish Hawk users still running legacy systems, and insights into how the company approaches product development, backwards compatibility, and long-term support for anglers across the Great Lakes and beyond.

If you’ve ever called Fish Hawk for help—or wondered what happens behind the scenes when you do—this episode introduces the team that makes it happen.

For more Great Lakes fishing information, visit https://fishhawkelectronics.com/blog/

In Episode 278 of the Great Lakes Fishing Podcast, Chris Larsen shares another conversation from the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo featuring three experienced Lake Ontario captains: Captain Vince Pierleoni of Thrillseeker Sportfishing, Captain Matt Yablonsky of Wet Net Charters, and Captain Anthony Ellis of Redemption Charters.

This wide-ranging discussion covers what these captains saw on the western end of Lake Ontario last season, including the surprising coho bite, strong king salmon fishing, brown trout trends, steelhead size, and what a huge alewife population could mean for the year ahead. They also break down practical trolling topics that matter to everyday anglers, including leader lengths, diver setups, spoon sizes, knot choices, rod and reel recommendations, and how to simplify your spread to catch more fish.

The conversation also dives into spring instability on Lake Ontario, how wind and temperature shifts reposition bait and salmon, when Olcott fishing is most stable, and how to adapt when conditions change fast. Anthony also talks about his Broken Rod Tackle artificial meat products and offers advice for anglers looking to add a meat program without overcomplicating things.

If you fish Lake Ontario for kings, coho, brown trout, or steelhead, this episode is packed with smart, practical insight from captains who spend serious time on the water.

For more Great Lakes fishing content, visit FishHawkElectronics.com.

We’re back from the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo in Niagara Falls, NY with the Fish Hawk Electronics 2026 New Product Showcase—and we’re breaking it all down for Episode 277 of the Great Lakes Fishing Podcast.

First up: the upcoming Fish Hawk ONE—a new “one system” approach designed to simplify buying decisions while delivering the features anglers ask for most. We discuss the upgradeable platform, Wi-Fi over-the-air updates, screen layout customization (speed/temp/depth), and flexible setup options including 12V power or AA batteries, plus future expansion toward NMEA compatibility and broader networking.

Then we unveil TD Connect—a major evolution of the original Fish Hawk TD. Learn how it captures depth + temperature profiles, syncs via Bluetooth to a mobile app, logs drops (with GPS when available), and stores your data so you can track conditions, share results, and dial in patterns. We also cover what anglers want to know most: rechargeability, drops per charge, how it works without cell service, whether it can help determine lure running depth, and the price point ($249.99).

We also touch on current deals if you want to get on the water now, including the Fish Hawk Ultra and Fish Hawk Multi pricing while supplies last.

For more Great Lakes fishing tips and updates, visit FishHawkElectronics.com.

Captain David Protzmann of Fishin Da Net Charters joins the Great Lakes Fishing Podcast to break down trout and salmon fishing on Lake Michigan out of Port Washington, Wisconsin.

David shares insight on the spring coho salmon migration, peak timing for the famous shallow-water bite, and his mid-summer king salmon trolling program. The conversation covers downrigger and diver setups, leadcore and copper lines, lure selection, and how he adjusts when fishing gets tough.

We also discuss steelhead, brown trout, and lake trout patterns, plus how David uses Fish Hawk Electronics to dial in speed and depth. David wraps up with advice for anglers setting up their own boats and those looking to learn more through educational charters.

For more Great Lakes fishing information, visit https://fishhawkelectronics.com/blog/

On this episode of the Great Lakes Fishing Podcast, host Chris Larsen sits down with Tyson Colby, founder and engineer behind AccuTroll, to dive deep into one of the most talked-about innovations in trolling speed control.

Tyson shares his engineering background and explains how AccuTroll was built using modern IoT technology to solve a problem every troller faces—maintaining precise, consistent speed in changing conditions. From closed-loop “cruise control” trolling that automatically adjusts throttle based on speed feedback, to ultra-compact under-cowling installation, AccuTroll brings a fresh, modern approach to kicker motor control.

The conversation covers how AccuTroll integrates with NMEA 2000 networks, paddle wheel sensors, and GPS speed, why it excels in current-driven waters like the Great Lakes and Puget Sound, and how anglers can retrofit it to existing throttle systems with minimal effort. Tyson also explains the smartphone-based control system, Bluetooth remote with programmable macros, and how over-the-air updates allow the platform to grow with new features and integrations.

Whether you’re a charter captain or a weekend troller looking to simplify your spread and focus more on fishing, this episode breaks down why automated speed control is one of those tools you “didn’t know you needed until you used it.”

🎣 Learn more about AccuTroll at accutroll.com

🎣 Catch more Great Lakes fishing content at fishhawkelectronics.com

On Episode 274 of the Great Lakes Fishing Podcast presented by Fish Hawk Electronics, host Chris Larsen sits down in Manistee, Michigan with Captain Lenny Vaughan of Slipknot Charters. This is a recording from late August. Fresh off a big win at the Founders Cup Championship, Captain Vaughan shares insights into competitive Great Lakes salmon tournaments, including tips for new anglers looking to get started.

The conversation also dives into what makes Manistee one of the premier fishing ports on the Great Lakes—from its unique river system and world-class catch rates to the deep-water shelves and seasonal fish migrations that create outstanding opportunities for salmon, trout, and steelhead. Lenny also gives a behind-the-scenes look at his 31’ Tiara fishing machine, his approach to guiding clients, and why charter fishing is as much about people as it is about catching fish.

Whether you’re interested in Great Lakes tournaments, planning a fishing trip to Manistee, or just love hearing from seasoned captains, this episode is packed with knowledge and stories you won’t want to miss.

For more Great Lakes fishing information, visit https://fishhawkelectronics.com/blog/

In this episode of the Great Lakes Fishing Podcast presented by Fish Hawk Electronics, host Chris Larsen sits down in Manistee, Michigan with Captain Mark Chmura of Pier Pressure Fishing. Mark opens the conversation with a heartfelt tribute to the late Captain Willis Kerridge, a legendary angler whose influence will be felt across Lake Michigan and beyond for years to come.

From there, Mark shares his own remarkable story—35 years as a charter captain and tournament angler, more than 50 tournament wins, and a lifetime spent building community on the water. He talks candidly about his battle with stage four prostate cancer, how faith and fishing helped carry him through, and what it means to truly appreciate the blessings around you.

With insights on the evolution of Great Lakes fisheries, the balance between tournaments and charters, and lessons learned through hardship, this conversation goes far beyond fishing tips—it’s about resilience, humility, and gratitude.

Whether you’re a seasoned tournament angler or just love hearing authentic stories from the Great Lakes, this episode with Captain Mark Chmura is one you won’t want to miss.

For more Great Lakes fishing information, visit https://fishhawkelectronics.com/blog/

In this episode of the Great Lakes Fishing Podcast presented by Fish Hawk Electronics, host Chris Larsen sits down with first mate Wyatt Merritt of Catch a Bunch Charters in Grand Haven, Michigan. Fishing alongside Captain Phil Rutherford, Wyatt shares his perspective from the back deck—covering the excitement of battling fiery late-summer king salmon, the challenges of running a busy spread of rods, and the chaos of netting fish in heavy boat traffic.

Wyatt isn’t just passionate about fishing—he’s also a fisheries and aquatic science student at Grand Valley State University. He discusses how his classroom studies on thermoclines and cold-water species connect directly to Great Lakes salmon fishing, and what he hopes to pursue as a fisheries technician in the future.

From wild net jobs to insights on salmon behavior and the importance of temperature probes, this conversation blends hands-on fishing stories with fisheries science. Whether you’re a charter customer, weekend angler, or just love the Great Lakes, you’ll enjoy hearing Wyatt’s passion for the fishery and his vision for its future.

For more Great Lakes fishing tips, gear reviews, and stories, visit FishHawkElectronics.com.